WATCH: Lacson burns Pangilinan on Constitution debate

“Who interprets the Constitution, is it the Senate? … We cannot interpret the Constitution.” – Sen. Lacson, on which institution is mandated to interpret the law and the Constitution.

“Why do we make reference to something that has not transpired?” – Sen. Lacson, after asking if the Articles of Impeachment had been transmitted to the Senate in the first place.

“The operative word is ‘may.’” – Sen. Lacson, after citing Art. XI, Sec. 2 of the 1987 Constitution where officials including the President, the Vice-President, and members of the Supreme Court “may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.”

“I don’t want to participate in something that would encroach on the authority of the SC… If we didn’t use this language, referring to an action taken by the SC, I would sign the resolution. In this case we are creating a constitutional crisis because SC acted within its own jurisdiction (and) here we are, interfering and trying to influence the SC to reverse its decision.” – Sen. Lacson, after noting the draft resolution’s reference to the ouster of Lourdes Sereno. CLICK BELOW TO WATCH VIDEO